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You know, it may seem like Octavian is kind of a flat antagonist, especially following an act like Luke Castellan, but once you realize that he represents neofascism his actions and his fate seem more fitting and satisfying.

When Rick Riordan introduced Camp Jupiter, he folded ancient Rome into the lore of his series. Ancient Rome, which is famous for its tyrannical dictatorships and for being a massive inspiration for modern fascists such as the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Octavian, who I assume is named after Augustus Caesar, the first official emperor of Rome and a de facto dictator, represents the ugly side of the Roman Empire. It would be irresponsible and foolhardy for Riordan to portray a society meant to “carry on the spirit of Rome” and not address the fascist, exploitative legacy of Rome.

Octavian is written as cruel, power-hungry, cunning, and imperialistic. He basically has no redeeming qualities, and all the heroic characters unilaterally despise him. Octavian believes he was encouraged by the gods to lead an assault on Camp Half-Blood, and during this battle he gets caught in an onager and accidentally blows himself up. Octavian is shown destroying himself because he tried to overextend the reach of his empire. He is a victim of his own imperialism, collapsing under the weight of an empire supported by unsustainable cruelty. His death mirrors the downfall of the Roman Empire.

(It is interesting to note that Nico di Angelo is the one to prevent any interference in Octavian’s death, since Nico lived in Mussolini’s Italy, something that is contextually acknowledged in The Tower of Nero. Mussolini was obsessed with ancient Rome and had intentions to revive the ancient origins of his country to merge them with its fascist present. Nico recalls his father Hades telling him that some people had to die as he allowed Octavian to destroy himself. I just find it really fitting that the the character who experienced 20th century fascist Europe firsthand was the one to treat Octavian’s neofascist resurgence without mercy.)

Octavian’s death is harsh, complete, and decisive – which is the only way to kill fascism. Octavian may not be interesting as a character like Luke is, but his arc and his death are full of thematic meaning. I think Rick Riordan did the right thing in obliterating the character that represented the unsavory political ideologies of ancient Rome.

And if that wasn’t overt enough a condemnation of fascism, the entire Trials of Apollo series is explicitly about antifascism. The main antagonists in this series are three of the most notoriously cruel Roman dictators, and the heroic characters are tasked with destroying them so that they don’t take over America. Considering that the classics field is rife with neofascists, I found it appropriate for Riordan to make the antifascism extremely contextual in his series inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.

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here’s my bi-annual drawing of A Boy

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i dont “have ptsd” that’s all just the wizard’s curse

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ダンジョン飯 by 並木風磨@namiki_kazama

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she lives in my head rent free

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and ! the lovely falin !!!

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Neither of them are ever dressed appropriately

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One thing which genuinely bothers me is Annabeth's perception in the fandom. How she's seen as this cold, stoic, emotionless, reserved and intimidating girl. When in reality, she's a character full of love.

Annabeth, who immediately cried and felt attached to Cerberus after playing with him for a few minutes because she wouldn't get to play with him again.

Annabeth, whose deepest desire, which the Sirens lured her with, is saving Luke and having a good relationship with both her parents.

Annabeth, who believed in Luke's goodness, even after all the countless terrible things he did simply because she had faith in his humanity.

Annabeth, who cried in Percy's arms before entering the labyrinth and refused to reveal the last line of the prophecy because it said to lose a love worse than death and the idea of losing any of her friends is too painful, heartbreaking and worse than dying.

Annabeth, who kissed Percy before parting with him in St. Helens because if he's going to die, she at least wants him to die knowing she loved him.

Annabeth, who took a poisoned knife for Percy during the war because she'd rather die herself than let him die.

Annabeth, who convinced Luke to switch sides by reminding him of the promise of family he gave her. Which in turn, influenced Luke's decision to end himself to destroy Kronos. Hello, she saved the world with the power of love.

Annabeth, who spent months after months losing sleep and searching desperately for Percy when he went missing.

Annabeth, who kissed Percy to eternity in public at their reunion, not caring what anyone is going to say or think. An asteroid could've hit the earth, and she wouldn't have cared.

Annabeth, who told Percy “I love you” when falling in Tartarus because if she was going to die, she wanted them to be her last words.

Annabeth Chase is a sweetheart, who has always felt things deeply and she's so full of love. And I think it's time we let go of the “cold-hearted annabeth” headcanon because it's not true, that's not her.

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Sketches 🕊️ °˖➴

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every autistic person watching this episode of dungeon meshi:

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“The four lords”

Btw I have the explanation and my thoughts behind this fanart in the post caption on my insta:) if someone is interested🌷

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ok this is old (by like a month or two) so excuse the slightly outdated stylings. but i forgot to post this here so ENJOY!

it’s a shame a design element as fun as the grey streaks are just put in the same spot all the time. so have my placements and the reasoning behind them (because it wouldn’t be a percexe design without cramming character significance into every little detial)

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shattered

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TINY WRLD (2020)

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❤️⚔️❤️⚔️❤️

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annabeth being piper’s sapphic awakening?? anyone???

lesbian visibility week is almost over so i had to post this draft…rip piper mclean you would’ve loved chappell roan and kissing girls

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TW for blood

Stayed up way too late drawing my boys & am too tired to think of a caption rn, but wanted to post anyway ✌️